Canadian police open criminal investigation into Jontay Porter betting scandal

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Jontay Porter #34 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a shot against against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Kia Center on March 17, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Jun 19, 2024

Police in Canada have opened a criminal investigation into the betting scandal that resulted in former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter being banned from the NBA, a spokesperson for the Ontario Provincial Police confirmed Wednesday.

The OPP’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau determined that a criminal investigation was warranted after it completed its assessment of betting irregularities related to Raptors games, Robert Simpson, the OPP spokesman, said. The OPP’s active and ongoing investigation will focus on Raptors games in Toronto on Jan. 26, 2024, and March 20, 2024. The alleged betting impropriety has already seen four men charged by the U.S. Department of Justice.

This investigation is the latest legal scrutiny for Porter. Earlier this month, four men were charged with conspiracy to defraud a sports betting company for their roles in an alleged scheme involving Porter. The charges were brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York. Porter was not charged.

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Timeline of Jontay Porter's NBA career and gambling investigations by league, police

Federal prosecutors alleged that Porter conspired with the four men to help them hit under bets on his props during Raptors games on January 26 and March 20. Porter, prosecutors say, claimed to have an eye injury during the January 26 game so he would only play limited minutes. Porter and the co-conspirators then talked about him leaving the March 20 game early with an illness, according to a criminal complaint filed in early June.

In April, after a league investigation, the NBA banned Porter for what they termed “a cardinal sin” of betting on the league’s games and sharing inside information.

The OPP said it will connect with federal authorities in the United States as its investigation continues.

ESPN was the first to report the criminal investigation.

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(Photo: Rich Storry / Getty Images)

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Mike Vorkunov is the national basketball business reporter for The Athletic. He covers the intersection of money and basketball and covers the sport at every level. He previously spent three-plus seasons as the New York Knicks beat writer. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeVorkunov